For the last 18 months, Sporting have felt little else other than turbulence and subsequent disenchantment as a result of the goings-on at the club.
From the 2017/18 debacle that birthed the famed invasion of Alcochete, the Lions’ training complex, the Lisbon outfit are yet to rid themselves of a state of instability, having sacked their second manager of the season in Jorge Silas and third in Frederico Varandas’ short, but somewhat agonising cycle as club president.
The current incumbent at the top of Sporting’s pyramid has moved quickly to try and spark any kind of optimism with the costly €10-million-appointment of Sporting de Braga boss Rúben Amorim, formerly the grand architect in a tight race between the two sides for a third-place finish. But what will the gamble do to a club whose tensions are already on a knife edge?
Sporting will have its fourth head coach of 2019/20 in the dugout at Alvalade on Sunday for the match against Aves after completing the appointment of Braga manager Rúben Amorim, who replaces the outgoing Silas.
Another dramatic week of Primeira Liga action saw the leadership change hands courtesy of Benfica’s draw with Moreirense allowing Porto to overtake their rivals by a point. The latest episode of the Sporting soap opera saw them fall to defeat amid a typically controversial impending change in club management while Gil Vicente’s quietly impressive return to the top flight continued by beating Boavista.
FC Porto have assumed command of the Primeira Liga after a 1-1 home draw for Benfica versus Moreirense enabled the Dragons to go a point clear at the top on Monday night.
Rio Ave drew 0-0 against Belenenses SAD at the Estádio do Rio Ave despite dominating the match and seeing a late goal ruled out for offside. The result keeps Carlos Carvalhal’s well organised side in contention for the UEFA Europa League and a chance to achieve their highest position in the Portuguese top flight.